The 2023 Impact Report has been mailed! In this year’s report of God’s many answered prayers, you will read stories like this one about Eugene:
The call from the CO team in the Philippines said, “Please pray that men will be interested in conversations with us! That we will have opportunities to share the gospel with them. Pray that men will come to the Father!” And so we prayed.
Manila universities were among the last to open after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, Chris Drinkard, a CO staff member in the Philippines, was glad to be back on campus and began spending time with the University of the Philippines fútbol team. Over breakfast, he shared the gospel with a student named Ivan and invited him to join a weekly evangelistic Bible study after football training. Ivan agreed and brought several friends, including Eugene. Together, they explored the gospel through stories, diagrams, and conversations about the joy found in a relationship with Jesus. Although Chris initially saw little response, God was still at work behind the scenes.
Another semester passed, and the Drinkards visited the United States to take their daughter to college. While stateside, Chris received the message from Eugene, “I want to start reading the Bible. Where should I start?“ Chris directed him towards John and made himself available to answer any questions. After a couple of weeks, Eugene reached out and asked what to read next. Chris directed him toward Matthew, and a couple of weeks later to Luke.
When Chris returned to Manila, he met with Eugene and learned that Eugene had had surgery during the summer. His life had taken a turn and was not looking like he had planned. Eugene referenced the breakfast meetings and the things Chris shared there. “I wasn’t getting that great joy,“ he shared. Now, the change in his life is evident, and Eugene is hungry and growing. Some teammates have pushed back against the changes in his life, and the ongoing pain after surgery continues to wear on him. Continue to pray for Eugene.
Click the button and be directed to the recently published annual report. Read and be encouraged by stories like the one posted here!
